JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 18, 2011) - After playing eight straight road games, the ETSU softball team finally returns to the friendly confines of Betty Basler Field when the Bucs host Furman in their final non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday evening. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.

ETSU (14-28) is hoping the home scenery will end its seven-game skid as the Blue and Gold play their final six regular season games inside the ETSU Softball Stadium.

Senior leader Katie Henderson (Jackson, Tenn.) - who will be playing her final home games during this stretch - has enjoyed hitting in front of the hometown faithful as she is batting a team-leading .409 (18-44) with six doubles, three home runs and 12 RBI in 16 home contests. Meanwhile, three Buccaneer hitters are batting over .300 at home as sophomore Whitley Hensley (Erwin, Tenn.) is hitting .345 (10-29), freshman Nicole Fox (Peachtree City, Ga.) carries a .327 (17-52) clip into Tuesday's twinbill, and sophomore Sam Lower (Sebring, Fla.) is hitting .310 (13-42) in 15 home games.

The Paladins are coming off back-to-back 1-0 eight-inning setbacks to Georgia Southern over the weekend and sit 13-24 overall.

Furman is led by senior second baseman Morgan Hughey's .396 (42-106) batting average, while freshman Lauren Collier is an asset both at the plate and in the circle for the Paladins. Collier leads the team with six home runs and 19 runs scored, while also guiding Furman to five wins and two shutouts in 23 appearances.

The Bucs have faced Furman every year since ETSU established the sport in 2001, and the Blue and Gold lead the all-time series, 17-8.

Fans unable to make the trip to Johnson City on Tuesday can watch all the action live on A-Sun.TV, while live stats will be offered via Gametracker.

Following the doubleheader on Tuesday, the Bucs close out their season with consecutive conference doubleheaders against Campbell (4/22) and USC Upstate (5/6).